CLIMATE CONTROL PROTECTIVE SAFETY VEST AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

• US 20120036623A1
• Filed: 08/16/2011
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vern Minogue
• Original Assignee: Vern Minogue
• Inventors: Minogue, Vern
• Application Number:
  US13/211,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20120036623A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/463
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/005 with controlled temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/01 with reflective or luminous safety means visible signalling arrangements G08B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0158 having ventilation features
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/102 Waterproof and breathable

Abstract

A climate control safety vest preferably includes a vest, impact shields, safety panel and a solar heating and cooling system. The impact shield may preferably be constructed using a lightweight, highly durable material such as Mylar, Kevlar and may preferably be a bright orange color and feature light-reflective strips or panels on the front and back. The vest preferably features a plurality of interior pockets that may be on the front, back and sides to house protective foam shields to protect the user from sharp objects and blunt force trauma. The solar heating and cooling system is connected to cooling fans/heating elements which would allow the user to activate and deactivate the heating and cooling functions of the vest. Such a vest may provide a user with an efficient means of staying comfortable in extreme hot or cold conditions while protecting him from sharp objects and blunt force traumas.

Claims

1. A safety vest, the vest comprising:

a vest body, the body having a front portion and a back portion, the vest body being configured to be worn by a user such that the front portion is positioned in front of the user and the back portion is positioned behind the user;

an impact panel releasably coupled to each of the front and back portions;

a rechargeable battery releasably coupled to the vest body;

a cooling device releasably coupled to the vest body and operatively coupled to the battery;

a heating device releasably coupled to the vest body and operatively coupled to the battery; and

a solar panel releasably coupled to the vest body and operatively coupled to the battery.

2. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the vest body further comprises side portions, the side portions being configured to receive and releasably couple thereto one or more impact panels.

3. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the vest body further comprises a user interface, the user interface being configured to receive input from the user to operate the cooling and heating devices.

4. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the heating device and the cooling device are integral with one or more impact panels.

5. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the vest body further comprises pockets, wherein the pockets are configured to receive and retain one or more impact panels therein.

6. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the impact panel comprises impact-absorbing cellular foam material.

7. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the heating device comprises electric resistance wiring, the wiring being configured within one or more impact panels or within an inner layer of the vest body, the wiring being operatively coupled to the battery.

8. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the cooling device comprises one or more electric fans.

9. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the vest body further comprises one or more reflective strips.

10. A safety vest, the vest comprising:

a vest body, the vest body having a front portion, a back portion and side portions, the vest body being configured to be worn by a user such that the front portion is positioned in front of the user, the back portion is positioned behind the user, and the side portions are positioned on the respective sides of the user;

exterior pockets positioned on the front, back, and side portions of the vest body;

impact panels configured to be releasably inserted into one or more of the exterior pockets, each of the exterior pockets being configured to retain and secure at least a respective impact panel placed therein, the respective impact panel being of the size and shape of the corresponding exterior pocket;

a rechargeable battery releasably coupled to the vest body;

electric fans integral with one or more of the impact panels, each of the electric fans being operatively coupled to the battery and configured to cool the user when in use;

electric wiring integral with one or more of the impact panels, the wiring being operatively coupled to the battery and configured to warm the user when in use; and

a solar panel releasably coupled to the back portion of the vest body and operatively coupled to the battery.

11. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein the vest body further comprises a user interface, the user interface being configured to receive input from the user to operate the electric fans and electric wiring.

12. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein the vest body further comprises a temperature sensor that senses a temperature and automatically activates the electric fans when the sensed temperature rises above a predetermined maximum temperature and automatically activates the electric wiring when the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined minimum temperature.

13. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein the solar panel is positioned in an upper region of the back portion of the vest body so as to be in direct view of the sun even while the vest is in use by the user.

14. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein electric fans are positioned within multiple impact panels on the back portion of the vest body, such that the electric fans ventilate the back portion of the vest over the user.

15. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein three electric fans are positioned within an impact panel positioned in an upper region of back portion of the vest body over the user'"'"'s upper back and two electric fans are positioned within an impact panel positioned in a lower region of back portion of the vest body over of the user'"'"'s lower back, and wherein the electric wiring is positioned within the impact panel positioned in the lower region of the back portion of the vest body over the user'"'"'s lower back.

16. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein the vest body and the pockets are comprised of a lightweight, breathable material, such that the electric fans can push or pull air through the material to ventilate the vest and the user.

17. The safety vest of claim 10, wherein the vest body further comprises lights releasably coupled to the vest body and operatively coupled to the battery.